Events In The Life Of The Church
Monthly Meetings
May Meetings Coming Soon!
Time for Prayer
Time for Prayer: Every Wed., 11:00 am, check website for Zoom link.
Collaboration with Other Congregations
Great news! John Moore suggested forming a small group of leaders to reach out to similar congregations in the area. This collaboration will help us understand their challenges and explore potential partnerships.
Next Steps:
- We’ll keep you updated on additional ways to stay informed and share your thoughts on the different options.
- Together, we can find the best path forward.
Building Research Committees Created
We had a great turnout for our town hall meeting on February 16th. It wasn’t perfect, but we did manage to restrict our focus towards two research opportunities: exploring the partnership with Bushnell, and researching the real possibilities of a community land trust (CLT).
Peter Ruffier has offered to continue to take the lead on the Bushnell research group, and a diverse mix of congregants are being sought to sit on that committee. Lori Kievith has offered to lead the CLT research group, and we’re seeking volunteers to be on that research group.
One of the goals of these smaller groups is to restrict their focus on just the fact-finding missions at hand, and to increase communication and transparency.
The Bushnell research group will be editing that MOU. If it is agreed upon, it will be presented at a future town hall. the FCC board would vote on the MOU prior to it being signed.
Updated Security Measures
Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our congregation. To continuously improve the security of our church building, we’ll implement updates to our security presence and policies.
We understand that a place of worship should feel welcoming, and these changes are being made with that in mind. One important update is that the main doors will be closed and locked from outside entry at the start of each service. This will ensure a more controlled environment during service times. If you arrive after the doors are locked, please knock on the main sanctuary door, and a security team member will greet you to allow you entry.
You may also notice the security staff person around the grounds and building before, during, and after service helping mitigate and facilitate proper emergency responses to situations that may arise. Of course, we want everyone to feel welcome.
We’ll be sharing more details about the other security updates and our overall plan soon, but in the meantime, please know that these updates are designed to minimize risk and ensure a safe environment for everyone. If you have any immediate concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Keeper of the House, Trevor Eubanks at 360-562-0189.
Earth Month Class
Phyllis Weare will be leading a class on May 4 at 9:15 am in the Library regarding the responsibilities of Christians to help preserve as much of our nation’s current environment as possible.
Earth Day Workday
We are scheduling a work party at the church on Saturday, April 26, to help clean up and beautify our church yards and rain gardens. We will have liquids and snacks available from 10:00 a.m. to noon. If you have gardening tools, it would be helpful if you bring them. We will need a pickup to help carry away the stuff we clean up. This is an Earth Month project- please help if you can.
Writing Postcards for Social & Earth Justice
Robin Cushman and Teffany Hefner invite everyone to come be a part of our postcard-writing group on the third Sunday of each month from 9:15–10:15 AM in the Church Library. Together, we’ll craft messages of inspiration and advocacy to our political leaders as we navigate the months and years ahead.
Robin and Teffany will provide topics focused on social and environmental justice, along with contact information for city, state, and federal officials.
What Does it Mean to be a Christian in These Times?
Using Kelly Brown Douglas’s recent Christian Century article under this title, we will probe her question. Drawing on articles from several church leaders and theological thinkers, our discussion study will reflect on the question from both the perspective of individual faith persons and that of faith communities. Bring your questions, concerns, struggles, and insights. Sharon Warner will facilitate our probe into this very crucial question of our current times.
Discussion Study will be held in the Library at 9:15 am on these dates:
- May 11
- May 18
- June 1
- June 8
Outdoor Ministry 2025 Camp
The Oregon and SW Idaho Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) invites you to summer camp 2025!
This summer, our region is offering two exciting opportunities for our children and youth to gather together in community for fellowship, spiritual growth, and FUN!
Elementary Camp
For children who have completed grades 1-5, we are offering camp the week of July 21-25, 2025. This camp will be held at the beautiful Suttle Lake camp near Sisters, Oregon, and is an ecumenical camp with our Methodist and Episcopalian friends. The camp theme will help us recognize that we are linked by love. Music, art, games, conversations, time in nature, and more will help our campers with their exploration.
Cost is $588. A $50 deposit is due at time of registration. If you register by May 5th, you’ll receive a $25 Early Bird Discount.
Camp scholarships are available through many local congregations. If you need a scholarship or have other questions about this camp, please contact Rev. Sara Staton at revsarastaton@gmail.com
Middle/High School Camp
For youth who have completed grades 6-12, we are offering camp the week of August 4-8, 2025. This camp will also be at Suttle Lake Camp near Sisters, Oregon. The camp theme will be centered around the idea that there is always room at the table! In fact, the table is crowded! Worship, games, small group discussions, outdoor activities, and more will fill the week. Join us at summer camp this year to find your seat!
Cost is $450. Payment Link for Middle and High School Camp HERE!
If you need a scholarship or have other questions about this camp, please contact Alicia Speidel at aliciaspeidel@gmail.com or Kimberly Roberts at edminister@redrockchristianchurch.org
For more information about our Outdoor Ministries, please contact Pastor Tracia Deal at pastor@redrockchristianchurch.org
Peace Workshop: Prayers for Palestine
Sunday, April 27 – 9:15 am (Church Library)
Former Peace Intern and current musician at FCC Eugene Ella Gordon will be facilitating a discussion about Palestinian resistance. Attendees will have an opportunity to participate in discussion, prayer, and a short art activity modeled off of one that Disciples campers did at various church camps in the summer of 2024.
Interfaith Food Hub
Please take a moment to imagine the men, women, and children living in extreme poverty in our area – especially the house-less. To them, we are one of the ways they depend on nutrition.
Interfaith Food Hub volunteers give out about 300 sack lunches every day.
There are two ways you can be involved:
1. Designate an offering to Interfaith Food Hub
2. Talk to Patty Osborne about helping to prepare the sack lunches at a three-hour morning session in our church basement.
In February, 55 volunteers helped make and distribute 8268 lunches. Thank you, volunteers!
12-Step Meeting In Our Building
We are delighted to announce that we will have a new tenant joining us Monday through Friday from 12-2(ish) in the Chapel.
The group is a long-standing and well-established Narcotics Anonymous meeting. They have been at their previous location for 30 years! However, they lost their place because the organization is repurposing its space from a meeting room to pastoral housing.
We have offered them a very affordable intro price of $50 per month to match what they are currently spending. They will be building their attendance up and formulating a new contribution structure to increase their giving for the use of the space.
“We were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” -1 Thess. 2:8
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